You’ve probably seen the photos. One shows a fair-skinned, blonde flight attendant from Germany. The other shows a woman with mahogany-dark skin, jet-black curls, and some of the most extreme physical proportions on the planet. This isn't just a basic glow-up or a bad tan. The Martina Big before and after story is one of the most controversial and surreal cases of body modification in modern history.
Basically, Martina Adam (her birth name) didn't just want a new look. She wanted a new identity.
Born in 1988 in Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany, Martina started her adult life as a flight attendant. She was, by all accounts, a typical European woman. She had a long-term boyfriend, Michael, who was a pilot. Everything seemed standard. Then, around 2012, she quit her job and decided to pursue a dream that would eventually lead her to spend over $65,000 on surgeries and experimental treatments.
The Early Transformation: From Flight Attendant to "Exotic Barbie"
The first phase of the Martina Big before and after timeline was mostly about size. Specifically, breast size. Martina wasn't satisfied with standard cosmetic surgery; she wanted to push the boundaries of what was physically possible.
She began with breast augmentation in December 2012. But she didn’t stop after one or even five procedures. To date, she’s had dozens of surgeries. Her implants are unique—they are expandable. This means she can actually have saline pumped into them via a valve to make them larger without needing a whole new operation every time.
By 2017, she was claiming the title of having the "biggest breasts in Europe." We’re talking about a size 32S. Or 32T, depending on the month. Each breast was eventually rated at a volume of 20,000 cubic centimeters. For context, that is roughly the weight of two large bowling balls strapped to her chest.
She also underwent:
- Multiple rhinoplasties (nose jobs)
- Lip fillers to an extreme degree
- Porcelain veneers
- Liposuction on her waist and legs to create an "Exotic Barbie" silhouette
Honestly, if she had stopped there, she would have just been another "human doll" headline. But things took a much more controversial turn when she decided she didn't want to be white anymore.
The Melanin Injections and the Transition to "Malaika Kubwa"
In early 2017, Martina began using Melanotan-II. These are synthetic hormone injections designed to stimulate the body’s melanocytes. It’s a perma-tanning procedure that essentially "turns on" the skin's darkening process from the inside out.
The results were shocking.
Her skin didn't just get a sun-kissed glow. It turned a deep, dark brown. Martina was thrilled. She wasn't just looking for a tan; she stated publicly that she now identified as a Black woman. This is where the Martina Big before and after discussion moves from "extreme plastic surgery" into "transracial" controversy.
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In 2018, she took Michael (who also started the injections) to Kenya. While there, she was baptized by a local clergyman. She was given the Swahili name Malaika Kubwa, which translates to "Big Angel."
She didn't just change her skin. She changed her hair to a curly, black texture and began wearing traditional African clothing. She told interviewers on shows like This Morning and Botched that she felt she was truly African and that even her future children would be born Black—a claim that doctors and geneticists have repeatedly and firmly corrected as biologically impossible.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Medical Journey
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about how she achieved this. It wasn't just a "really long time in a tanning bed," though she does have one at home.
The Melanotan injections she used are actually illegal to sell for human consumption in many countries, including the UK and the US, due to lack of safety testing and potential side effects like heart issues and increased risk of skin cancer. Martina didn't care. She felt the injections "worked too well" to stop.
The "Botched" Rejection
She famously appeared on the TV show Botched to ask Dr. Terry Dubrow and Dr. Paul Nassif for more work. She wanted a nose job to give her "African features" and a massive butt augmentation.
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The doctors were visibly stunned.
They ultimately turned her down for the nose surgery. Why? Because the structural integrity of her nose was already compromised from previous surgeries. Adding more volume or trying to widen the bridge could have caused her nose to literally collapse. They also warned her about the massive health risks associated with her breast size, including chronic back pain and the risk of the skin actually tearing under the weight.
Where is Martina Big in 2026?
As of 2026, Martina—or Malaika—is still living out her chosen identity. She hasn't backed down.
While the internet mostly treats her as a meme or a cautionary tale about body dysmorphia, she and Michael have stayed together through the entire decade-long process. They have spent the last few years splitting time between Germany and various African countries, specifically Kenya and Namibia.
She recently mentioned she still wants that "wider nose" and "bigger butt" to complete her look, though finding a reputable surgeon willing to take the risk is getting harder. Her current status is a mix of social media influencer and "human curiosity," often appearing on European talk shows to update the public on her darkening skin.
Actionable Takeaways: Understanding the Reality of Extreme Modification
If you're following the Martina Big before and after saga, it’s worth looking at the broader implications of what she’s done.
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- Understand the risks of Melanotan: These "Barbie jabs" are unregulated and can lead to serious kidney, heart, and skin issues. Never use injectable tanning agents without medical supervision—which you likely won't get, as they aren't FDA-approved.
- Recognize Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): Many psychologists point to Martina's case as a textbook example of BDD, where a person becomes obsessed with perceived flaws in their appearance. If you find yourself never "satisfied" after a cosmetic procedure, it’s better to talk to a therapist than a surgeon.
- The Ethics of Transracial Identity: Martina’s story is a lightning rod for discussions on cultural appropriation. Identifying as a different race through cosmetic means is widely seen as offensive to the Black community, as it treats a lived experience and heritage as a costume that can be "bought."
- Surgical Limits: Even the best doctors have a "no" point. If multiple surgeons refuse to work on you, it’s not because they don't want your money—it's because the biology of your skin and bone can no longer support the changes.
The story of Martina Big is a wild ride of 21st-century medical possibilities and psychological extremes. Whether you see it as a personal freedom or a tragic transformation, it remains one of the most visible examples of how far a human being can go to reshape their reality.
If you're considering any form of permanent body modification, start with a consultation from a board-certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) to ensure your goals are safe and realistic.